Courses in

The Community Development and Youth Work degree is designed to enable graduates to become critical thinkers and to work with diverse groups of people across the lifespan. 

Through participatory processes learners will be guided to consider the multiple factors that impact upon people’s daily lives. 

Through dialogue, lectures, case studies, on-line learning, experiential activities, individual and group projects, creative inputs, research and Professional Practice Placement learners acquire knowledge, develop skills and competencies to work effectively as a team member in diverse community and youth work settings.

Stage/Year 1

• Introduction to Sociology
• Information Technology for digital media and society
• Introduction to Community Development
• Reflective personal development
• Invitation to psychology
• Introduction to law
• Young people and society
• Group dynamics and development
• Introduction to social policy
• Creativity with communities and young people
• Learning and innovation

In the second semester of Stage/Year 1 students will meet with the Placement Co-ordinator to consider placement options for second year.

Stage/Year 2

• Youth work theory, principles and practice
• Developmental psychology
• Civic engagement and leadership
• Preparation for placement in Community Development and Youth Work
• Community Work: Theory, principles and process
• Legal Framework for Community Development and Youth Work
• Entrepreneurship, community development and youth work
• Community and Youth Work Professional Practice Placement  1. (14 hours or two days per week for 1 academic year)

In Stage/Year 2 learners are required to choose one of two of the possible following electives:

• Entrepreneurship in Community and Youth Work
• Community and Place

Stage/Year 3

• Social research
• Diversity and social inclusion
• Youth cultures
• Promoting health and well-being
• Human rights and equality
• Rural geography
• Organisational behaviour
• Community and Youth Work Professional Practice Placement 2 (35 hours per week for one full semester)

In Stage/Year 3 learners are required to choose one of two of the possible following electives:

• Rural geography
• Organisational behaviour

The potential career paths for successful graduates of the programme are varied.  These may include:

• National and International Youth Organisations and services. 
• School Completion Programmes
• Partnership Companies
• Child and Young People’s Service Committees
• Family Resource Centres
• Education and Training Boards
• Various research roles

Graduates may wish to progress to the BA (Honours) in Community Development and Youth Work at the Mayo Campus. 

This Level 8 degree provides learners with the opportunity to develop further skills in strategic management, planning, evaluation, advocacy and completion of a dissertation. 

Alternatively, graduates may wish to pursue tertiary programmes elsewhere.

Garda Vetting

All learners are required to obtain Garda Vetting by GMIT on commencement of their studies. 

Joint module delivery

Throughout the programme some modules are jointly delivered across different disciplines.  Learners will be facilitated in interacting with and getting to know other learners beyond their own programme.  This will expose learners to different perspectives and encourage engagement with diversity and difference.  Joint modules also create spaces to develop friendships and form working relationships and collaborations.

Online delivery

Learners are supported throughout the programme to develop IT literacy skills.  This includes the delivery and completion of online elements within some modules.  Computer access is available with the college to all students.  Learners have the option to access and complete online elements off-campus.

Professional Practice Placement

Professional Practice Placement is central to enable learners direct experience of community and youth work settings.  Learners are encouraged to integrate theory and practice; develop skills required for building relationships and trust; to become a reflective and reflexive practitioner to enhance personal awareness and develop inclusive and empowering practice. 

The Professional Practice Co-ordinator will liaise with learners to secure appropriate placements. 

• In Stage/Year 2 this requires the learner to complete 14 hours of placement per week for the full academic year = 364 hours
• In Stage/Year 3 this requires the learner to complete 35 hours of placement per week for one full semester = 455 hours.